James B. Paules Sr.

Born on March 17, 1919, in York, Pa., he was the son of Katie Breitegan and Curvin Paules.

Paules, known as "Dutch," played professional baseball during the late-1930s and early '40s in the Boston Braves organization. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served during World War II in the Guadalcanal campaign.

When he resumed his baseball career after the war, he was traded to the Bridgeport Bees in the newly established Class B Colonial League in 1948. During that period, he met Ruth Farrell, the official scorekeeper for the Bees' games and they were married in 1949. They settled in Fairfield, became the parents of nine children, and after retiring from baseball in the 1950s, Paules became warehouse manager for the former Willis Distributors of Bridgeport until his retirement in 1980. After he retired, he became an avid golfer, and enjoyed playing with his children and grandchildren in "family day" tournaments at H. Smith Richardson Golf Club.

He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Farrell Paules; a son, Michael, and three brothers, Harry, Lester and Sammy Paules of York County, Pa.

He is survived by sons Jim Jr. and his wife Mimi; Alan, Kevin, Andy and his wife Laura; Packy and his wife Cathy, and Greg and his wife Debora; daughters Mary Paules, Ginna Paules and Kathy Harrold; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home 39 South Benson Road, and a Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday in St. Pius X Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 311, Maryknoll, NY 10545. For information or to sign an online guest register, visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.